Unsuccessful Surgery in August 2012... Possible to do Pouch Reset? Any help appreciated!

[demosthenes131 1]

Back in August 2012 I had a RNY surgery. I had done about a year of work to get to that point. A month or so before the surgery I discovered my wife at the time was cheating on me. I confronted her about this and she denied it but after some discussion we agreed to work on the relationship. Fast forward to the day of the surgery. She accompanied me to it that morning, I went back and the procedure was completed. I was taken to my room and was groggy from the anesthesia. She decided at that moment, while I was groggy and not clear headed to tell me she wanted a divorce.

Needless to say this was hard. I will be honest and say that I did not handle things well and I started to slowly slip back into bad habits. I didn't follow up with the doctor and just overall did poorly. I have, however, kept to around 400lbs, and my biggest was 520lbs. I had recently done a diet program through a clinic, HMR, and I was down to about 352lbs before starting to slip and gain again. I am at currently 392lbs as of this past Monday.

I completely regret not taking advantage of the RNY now. I realize stress and circumstances piled against me but it is a huge regret that follows me. I came across this site yesterday as I want to resume some form of eating plan. HMR is unfortunately closing and I need to figure out something that is a bit restrictive. I saw the pouch reset and think it might work for me. My insurance, Anthem BCBS, says on in the plan documents that Revision surgery is not covered.

My options, I think, are doing the pouch reset but I am worried I have stretched my stomach out and that would be futile.

Am I wrong on the stomach being stretched out?

What can I do from here? Any suggestions?

Edited December 14, 2022 by demosthenes131

[demosthenes131 1]

Forgot to add that I have also started working with a therapist who is using RecoveryRecord app. I want to discuss my plan with her if I do decide to try the pouch reset. I have bee reading through different plans for that today.

[Arabesque 7,426]

I’m sorry you have been through such emotional upheaval that compromised your weight loss journey. You had other battles & issues you were dealing with which didn’t allow you to fully embrace the benefits of your surgery. Sometimes life gets in the way of all our good intentions. Glad you are seeing a therapist now to support you. Many find therapy a great benefit to their weight loss.

And remember, you did lose more than 100lbs which is an achievement.

The efficacy of the pouch reset is questionable. Some swear it works & others say it doesn’t. It really is just going back on the very low calories diet you followed immediately after surgery. Have you considered going to a dietician & working on eating in a way that is more like what you were doing when you were into eating solid foods with Protein & fluid goals, watching portion size, lowish carbs, fats & sugar, etc. so adopting a healthy, & nutrient dense diet.

If you think you have stretched your tummy out, maybe a revision surgery may be helpful. Certainly worth a conversation with your old surgeon or a new one to see if it is possible. Others here will likely have more knowledge & experience about this.

What ever you decide, all the best.

[KimA-GA 540]

remember there is nothing you can do to reset the pouch you have to reset your brain and make yourself relearn new healthy habit… that’s what gets you to loose weight

have you been in therapy for food issues?